Around the Region: Annual Backpack Challenge is on; family film fun on Fleming Island; Habitat for Humanity warehouse sale

The 15th Annual Backpack Challenge collects backpacks and school supplies for local children at all area Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty offices through July 31. This year’s goal is to exceed last year’s haul of more than 450 backpacks filled with school supplies. Backpacks and supplies may be dropped off at any of eight the company’s First Coast offices, including 375-1 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach; 3535 Highway 17, Suite 10, Fleming Island; 1000 Sawgrass Village Drive, Suite 101, Ponte Vedra Beach; 112 Sea Grove Main St., Suite 210, St. Augustine Beach; and four in Jacksonville. For more on how to supply and label backpacks, visit www.BerkshireHathawayhsfnr.com.

FLAGLER

Flagler Habitat for Humanity ReStore will hold its next warehouse sale 7:30 am-1 p.m. Aug 9. at 15 Hargrove Grade (Hargrove Industrial Park) in Palm Coast. The organization will use proceeds from the sale of furniture, appliances, art, antiques and collectibles, household goods and building materials to complete homes for six needy families. For more, contact Joanna Folsom, Director of Programs at volunteer@flaglerhabitat.com, 386-586-6180 or 386-931-2400.

FLEMING ISLAND

A new comedy-adventure film about fire safety and rescue is the catalyst for a family event featuring Smokey Bear, forestry representatives and firefighters, a fire truck and a bulldozer used to fight wildfires. The festivities will be from noon-5 p.m. Saturday in the lobby and parking lot of Carmike Cinemas Fleming Island 12, promoting the film “Planes: Fire & Rescue.” Clay County Emergency Management, Florida Forest Service, Clay County Public Safety and Fire & Rescue and The Barco Newton Family YMCA are partners in presenting wildfire prevention and other fire safety tips. For more, For more, contact Leigh Ann Rassler at flemingisland12@gmail.com or 904-813-9933

NASSAU

Budget hearing scheduled

The Nassau County Board of Commissioners will conduct its first public hearing on the upcoming Fiscal Year 2014/2015 county budget at 6 p.m. Thursday Sept. 11, in its chambers at the James S. Page Governmental Complex, 96135 Nassau Place. The hearing is open to the public, and will include any other items that comes before the commissioners.

NASSAU

G.O.K.I.D.S campaign under way

The county Volunteer Center’s Corporate Volunteer Council through its 14th annual Giving Our Kids Important Daily Supplies project is collecting school supplies and donations for students who need them the most. Supplies can be dropped off through July 29 at Omni Amelia Island Plantation, Century 21/John T. Ferreira Insurance, Fernandina Beach City Hall, Nassau County Volunteer Center, Amelia Dental Group, First Coast Community Bank, First Federal Bank of Florida, VyStar Credit Union, CBC National Bank, Hilliard Town Hall, Hilliard Recreation Center, Hilliard Library, Hilliard Pharmacy and Hilliard Winn-Dixie. For more, email ncvcfb@aol.com.

ORANGEDALE

Master naturalist program set for late summer

Learn more about Florida’s environment at a Florida Master Naturalist Program Freshwater Wetlands education series Aug. 7, 12, 14, 19, 21 and 28 at Trout Creek Park, 6795 Collier Road. It is aimed at adults or teachers on topics like Florida’s ecosystems, key plants and wildlife and the role of humans in shaping the environment. For more about the $225 course, go to masternaturalist.org.

PALM COAST

Beginning and advanced artists can learn new drawing skills in a six-week course at scenic Washington Oaks State Park. Artist Joan F. Tasca leads the every-Wednesday classes from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sept. 17-Oct. 22. The $150 registration fee, due by Sept. 12, goes to the nonprofit Friends of Washington Oaks State Park. For registration and more, contact Tasca at info@joanftasca.com, 904-794-2594 or 904-402-2292.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH

Support group for parents who’ve lost children

The first Tuesday of each month at Ponte Vedra Valley Cemetery, 4750 Palm Valley Road, there is a Parents With Hope meeting. This group is for parents of young adult and adult children who have passed away. The group is led by other parents who have been forced to live with this unexpected loss and now feel the desire to reach out and provide contact with other grieving parents.

PUTNAM

Join a “Single String” Band

If you play the guitar or would like to learn to play just one string, there is a group forming in Interlachen. There is no charge to join the “Single String Stub Club.” It takes only 6 to 8 people, each with one board and one string. Played together it is like a guitar. For more, Barbara Jacoby at banjoebarb@hotmail.com.